Michael Lynch is a restoration architect and preservation engineer who specializes in the repair of historic buildings and structures. Growing up in the town of Marbletown in upstate New York, it was inevitable that Michael would develop a special interest in stone masonry and spend his career researching and documenting the work of the often anonymous stone cutters working in the 19th and early 20th centuries. His work on stone carving has been published in books and professional journals, and he lectures often on the subject.

Michael will explain how this work was executed and what to look for, as well as how to distinguish faux stone carving (that is, formed terra cotta or cast concrete) from 'the real thing.' The slide lecture will be illustrated with examples of work throughout New York, with an interactive "Where in your neighborhood?" quiz at the end.

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

One week from today -- on Tuesday,
June 26th -- the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) will convene to cast
their first vote concerning historic district extensions proposed for the West
End Avenue neighborhood. This public meeting is open to all; if your
schedule allows, please attend and lend your "silent support" of this important
community effort!

WHO: You, your neighbors,
all who support neighborhood preservation! Help us spread the
word; let us know of others in your building or on your block who are interested
in learning more about this ongoing issue.Attending
the public meeting is incredibly valuable, but it is important to note that no public testimony will be
taken.

Earlier this month, LW! looked back on the events --
starting as far back as 2010, though momentum for
this issue has surely been growing since much earlier -- leading up to the first
in a series of what will ultimately be three LPC votes. Click here to revisit that
email. Can't make the June 26th
public meeting?Write to the LPC and your local
elected officials to re-enforce your support of the West End Avenue
extensions and to thank them for their strong support to date.

** Before the Vote, Community Meeting
tosupport the Landmarks Law**

As LW! and our colleagues in
preservation have reported, landmarking -- not
just on West End Avenue but throughout all five boroughs -- has recently been
under attack. The Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY) is at the helm of a
coalition that would have New Yorkers believe that landmark designation is
"over-reaching" and will effectively freeze the city in amber. This
"look but don't touch" mentality could not be further from the truth:
the
number of landmark-protected buildings on the Upper West Side and beyond
continues to grow because people want preservation. Individual
Landmarks and buildings within historic districts offer substantial
opportunities for economic development, the revitalization of neighborhoods, the
stabilization of property values, and the enhancement of the tourism industry.

JOIN WITH US TONIGHT as we participate
in a community meeting, hosted by the Historic Districts Council,
to discuss this attack on landmarks and how each of us can lend our support.